News Releases

August 14, 2006

CUNA Mutual Group Foundation Grants $50K to SWAMI Program

CUNA Mutual Group Foundation recently renewed
its
funding for the Strathmore-WOCCU African
Management Institute (SWAMI) program, granting
$50,000 to support the program's 2006-2007 cycle.
The funds are matched by World Council's
Cooperative Development Program, which is
sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International
Development.

CUNA Mutual Group Foundation's financial
support
will help strengthen the SWAMI program in a
number of ways. In the upcoming year, World
Council plans to work through SWAMI to develop a
student network of opportunities throughout
Africa, develop an alumni program, assess the
institutional impact of SWAMI participation and
evaluate the program's objectives of developing
SWAMI as a model credit union training program.

"The SWAMI program has really come a long way
in
a short time," said Sue Albrecht, Senior Vice
President, International Division, CUNA Mutual
Group. "Strathmore and the World Council have
worked hard to make sure that the students stay
accountable and connected throughout and beyond
their studies. We're proud to contribute to this
important professional development program."

Thanks to the volunteer support of the
Louisiana
Credit Union League, World Council and Strathmore
University of Nairobi launched SWAMI in 2004 to
prepare senior SACCO (credit union) management
staff, aspiring managers and board members to
handle the challenges SACCOs face in today's
changing environment. This three-tier program
intertwines training and practical application.
In 2005, 38 students from Kenya, Seychelles,
Uganda and South Africa were the first to
graduate from the program.

CUNA Mutual Group is the leading provider of
financial services to credit unions and their
members worldwide.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.